Channel Middle East is the region's most trusted source of regional IT channel news, business analysis, technology trends and research. Please fill in your email address to sign-up to receive regular updates on the trends and challenges in the IT channel along with actionable guidance from those shaping the future of the industry.

Share

Image: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi telco operators Zain Saudi Arabia, Saudi Telecom Co (STC) and Etihad Etisalat have all reached an agreement with the kingdom’s ministries of finance, communications and communication and information technology to change the calculation of their annual royalty fees.

All three have also agreed to settle a dispute over fees due to be paid in the years up to 2017, with a further commitment that they would invest more in expanding their infrastructure over the next three years.

The agreement stipulates that each will pay annual royalty fee of 10 percent of net revenue from telecommunications services starting from Jan. 1, 2018, reduced from 15%.

Mobily also agreed to pay an annual licence royalty of 1% of its annual net telecommunication revenues, while STC will pay 10% of net revenues from fixed line services and 8% of net revenues from data services.

Impact

Zain Saudi Arabia said the expected impact of the unified royalty fees between January 1 and September 30 2018 will result in a total fee decrease of $59 million, Zain said in a statement.

Additionally, the agreement includes the settlement of disputed amounted stemming from the payment of annual royalty fees by Zain KSA to the CITC for the nine-year period between 2009 and 2017, on the condition that Zain further invests in expanding its infrastructure over the next three years.

The statement said that there were other conditions, but did not specify what they are.

Over the next three three ears, the impact of the settlement is expected to total $453 million.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the kingdom’s MOF, MCIT and CITC to overcome any obstacles facing the sector,” said Zain Group CEO and vice chairman Badr Nasser Al Kharafi.

“Linking our settlement agreement on the primary condition of further investment in infrastructure is an insightful move by the kingdom’s authorities as it enables us to develop in a higher quality network and service for the benefit of the digital-savvy Saudi community.”

Al Kharafi added that the agreement is a “significant milestone” for Zain KSA that will have a positive impact on its financial results this year.

“This development will further boost Zain KSA’s liquidity position as it will result in the reduction in the reduction of financial obligations the company faces,” he said.

“This in turn will allow the company to utilise that additional liquidity to continue the expansion and development of its 4G and 5G network and fiber extention to meet the growing demand for broadcast in the kingdom.”

In Q3 2018, Zain KSA recorded a net profit of SAR 48 million ($12.8 million), up SAR 3 million ($799,765) from the same time period in 2017.

The company also made an early voluntary payment of SAR 600 million ($159.95 million) towards its Murabaha financing agreement.